Can ChatGPT replace me as a writer?

WHAT IS AI? AI stands for artificial intelligence and is a technology that simulates the processes of human intelligence like decision making and problem solving. For example, when Netflix suggests you watch Love at the Bottle Bank, it’s AI that has used your past viewing history to recommend it to you.

OKAY, BUT WHAT IS CHATGPT THEN? ChatGPT is an AI-powered chat bot. It can create sentences as if written by a human, by searching the internet for written material and reproducing grammatically and tone correct copy, according to instructions given. It automates the writing process and creates text quickly, which in effect, lowers the cost of production. Does this terrify me, a writer who makes her living from writing? Mm-hmm (*screams). I decided I needed to learn first-hand about this digital challenger to my livelihood. So, I put on my invisible fedora and used ChatGPT to assist me during an average day in my life as a writer and podcaster.

INPUT 1

Write a headline for a feature in a women’s magazine about ChatGPT.

RESULT “Unlock the Power of Language: How ChatGPT is Changing the Game for Women Entrepreneurs”.

ASSESSMENT Gulp.

INPUT 2

Write a podcast intro script for Emer & Esther’s Sunday Roast. Include the word “detectives”.

RESULT “Hello and welcome to Emer & Esther’s Sunday Roast! I’m Emer, and alongside me is my trusty sidekick, Esther. Together we are amateur detectives, passionate foodies and your hosts of this podcast. Join us every Sunday where we’ll be solving crimes one roast at a time. This is Emer & Esther’s Sunday Roast.”

ASSESSMENT Ten marks deducted for using “foodies”.

INPUT 3

Write a text for my friend letting her know if it’s legal to take knitting needles on a flight out of Dublin.

RESULT “Hey there! Just wanted to let you know that it is indeed legal to bring knitting needles on a flight out of Dublin. Happy knitting and safe travels!”

ASSESSMENT This text makes it sound like I’ve been kidnapped.

INPUT 4

Create an Oscar acceptance speech which includes “patriarchy” and “Crunchy Nut Cornflakes”.

RESULT “Thank you so much to the Academy for this incredible honour. I want to take a moment though to recognise the women and marginalised communities who have been excluded from the film industry for far too long. It’s time for the patriarchy to be dismantled in Hollywood. I also want to give a shout out to my breakfast of champions, Crunchy Nut Cornflakes, for fuelling me during late-night writing sessions.”

ASSESSMENT Who amongst us hasn’t given an Oscar speech in the shower? I’d happily accept a Best Original Score Oscar with this. I’d just need an AI to write the score first.

MY VERDICT

The greatest utility of a writing AI is creating copy for things like user manuals, products, operating instructions and firing off transactional texts and emails, quickly. What’s more, in the same way ABBA now use holograms instead of original band members in their live shows, your favourite author’s trained AI bot could keep them making great works forever, all by scanning past works. Imagine – a ChatGPT version of Ulysses?! Or perhaps even more thrilling – infinite Beyoncé records. The future is bright/ absolutely terrifying.

A version of this article originally appeared in the Spring issue of IMAGE Magazine. Have you thought about becoming an IMAGE subscriber? Our Print & Digital subscribers receive all four issues of IMAGE Magazine and two issues of IMAGE Interiors directly to their door along with access to all premium content on IMAGE.ie and a gorgeous welcome gift worth €60 from The Handmade Soap Company. Visit here to find out more about our IMAGE subscription packages.